Board votes to keep city-run mini-bus service
Cape Coral’s Transportation Advisory Commission will recommend that City Council continue operating its city-run Mini-Bus Service after the board heard presentations Wednesday by staff and by Good Wheels of Fort Myers.
The board was looking into outsourcing the Mini-Bus Service, which was started in 1987, but the key factors to keep it running by the Parks & Recreation Department were a higher level of service, a better on-time record and the satisfaction of the riders.
“Our level of service is higher than an outside agency can provide,” said Parks Director Steve Pohlman. “There are shorter wait times, the on-time record and we can provide this important service to our residents. I think the city should be proud of the service the mini-bus provides.”
Good Wheels receives a $30,000 subsidy from the city to provide its service to Cape residents because it serves the entire county while the Mini-Bus Service does not transport riders outside of the city. Good Wheels also provides some services the city does not. The subsidy counts toward Good Wheels meeting its 10 percent local matching funds requirement to receive the other 90 percent in funding from the state, currently at $1.1 million for Lee County.
“I’m leaning to the city continuing to run this service,” said board member and city council member Marilyn Stout. “It is run efficiently and I think we could do a special benefit to raise money for them. Our level of service is so good that if you make a change it should be to make it better, but I don’t see that here.”
Board and city council member member Jessica Cosden added. “I’ll stick with what we have. I don’t think it is worth all the angst associated with making a change. I took the tour of Good Wheels and they provide a good service for the county.”
“I don’t like putting all our eggs in one basket,” said board chair and council member Rick Williams. “That’s scary to me. Good Wheels depends on grants, we don’t. They transport outside the city, we don’t.”
The board voted unanimously to keep the Mini-Bus Service running and will recommend its decision at a future City Council meeting.
The board also voted unanimously to continue the $30,000 contribution to Good Wheels for 2017, but the board has concerns that Lee County should also contribute toward Good Wheels on behalf of unincorporated North Fort Myers and Lehigh residents. United Way and the city of Fort Myers do contribute to to Good Wheels as does Cape Coral.
Good Wheels also requested the city provide it with parking privileges on city property. The reason given is that several of its drivers live in Cape Coral and must drive to the Good Wheels location near the airport to pick up a vehicle and drive back to Cape Coral.
The city providing six spaces would save Good Wheels time, fuel and tolls and would benefit Cape riders with an additional 2,500 trips per year possible and well as improve its on-time services.
The advisory board unanimously agreed and asked staff to work out the details and location.